Serving The People Of San Antonio For More Than 40 Years

Attorney James N. Voeller, Rebecca L. Jaroszewski and Rebekah Meeks Schement

Goal-Focused San Antonio Medicaid Attorneys

Last updated on May 6, 2025

At The Voeller Law Firm, we understand the complexities and challenges that come with planning for long-term care. Navigating the intricacies of Medicaid can be daunting, but securing the benefits you need is essential for protecting your financial future and ensuring quality care. Our dedicated team of attorneys in San Antonio is committed to providing comprehensive Medicaid planning services to help you and your loved ones access the care you deserve while preserving your assets.

Understanding Medicaid

Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides health care coverage to low-income individuals, including seniors who need long-term care. Unlike Medicare, which is primarily age-based, Medicaid eligibility is based on financial need. This program covers a wide range of services, including in-home care, assisted living and nursing home care, making it a vital resource for many families.

Key Aspects Of Medicaid

The main aspects of Medicaid include:

Eligibility requirements. Medicaid eligibility is determined based on income and asset limits, which vary by state. Understanding these requirements is crucial for planning and ensuring you qualify for benefits without unnecessarily depleting your assets.
Asset protection. Effective Medicaid planning involves strategies to protect your assets while still qualifying for benefits. This can include restructuring your finances, creating trusts, and taking advantage of exemptions and allowances.
Long-term care coverage. Medicaid covers various types of long-term care, from in-home assistance to nursing home care. Knowing what services are covered and how to access them is essential for ensuring you receive the necessary care.

The Importance Of Medicaid Planning

Medicaid planning is an essential aspect of elder law and estate planning. Here are some key reasons why planning for Medicaid is crucial:

Financial security. Long-term care can be incredibly expensive, with nursing home costs running into thousands of dollars per month. Without proper planning, these costs can quickly deplete your life savings. Medicaid planning helps protect your financial security by ensuring you qualify for benefits while preserving your assets.
Access to quality care. Securing Medicaid benefits ensures you have access to the care you need, whether it’s in your home, in an assisted living facility or in a nursing home. Proper planning helps you navigate the system and secure the best possible care options.
Peace of mind. Knowing that you have a plan in place for potential long-term care needs provides peace of mind for you and your family. Medicaid planning allows you to focus on your health and well-being without worrying about the financial burden of care.

Our Medicaid Planning Services At The Voeller Law Firm

At The Voeller Law Firm, we offer a full range of Medicaid planning services to help you navigate the complexities of this critical program. Our experienced attorneys work closely with you to develop a customized plan that meets your unique needs and goals.

Medicaid Eligibility Assessment. Understanding whether you qualify for Medicaid is the first step in the planning process. We conduct a thorough assessment of your financial situation to determine your eligibility and identify any necessary steps to meet the requirements. This includes reviewing your income, assets, and any potential transfers or gifts that could affect your eligibility.

Asset Protection Strategies

Protecting your assets while qualifying for Medicaid benefits is a primary concern for many families. We develop tailored strategies to help you preserve your wealth, such as:

Trusts. Creating irrevocable trusts can help protect your assets from being counted toward Medicaid eligibility. These trusts can provide long-term security for your family while ensuring you meet Medicaid requirements.
Spend-down strategies. For those with assets above the Medicaid limit, we can help devise spend-down strategies to reduce your countable assets in a way that benefits you and your loved ones.
Exempt assets. Certain assets, such as your primary residence and personal belongings, may be exempt from Medicaid calculations. We help you understand these exemptions and how to utilize them effectively.

Long-Term Care Planning Guidance

Securing quality long-term care is a critical component of Medicaid planning. We assist you in exploring and accessing various care options, including:

In-home care. Many seniors prefer to receive care in the comfort of their own homes. We help you understand how Medicaid can cover in-home services and what steps are necessary to qualify.
Assisted living. If assisted living is the best option for you, we provide guidance on how to cover these costs through Medicaid and other financial strategies.
Nursing home care. For those requiring more intensive care, we assist in finding and securing Medicaid coverage for nursing home facilities, ensuring you receive the necessary care without financial strain.

Helping You Navigate Guardianships And Conservatorships

In some cases, it may be necessary to establish guardianship or conservatorship to manage the affairs of a loved one who is incapacitated. Our attorneys guide you through this process, ensuring the legal requirements are met and your loved one’s best interests are protected.

Incorporating Medicaid Planning Into Your Overall Estate Plan

Medicaid planning is most effective when integrated with a comprehensive estate plan. We ensure your Medicaid planning strategies align with your overall estate planning goals, providing a seamless approach to asset protection, wealth transfer and long-term care planning.

Medicaid Planning FAQs

When should I start planning for Medicaid?

It’s never too early to start planning for Medicaid. Early planning allows for more flexibility and better protection of your assets. Ideally, you should begin planning several years before you anticipate needing long-term care.

Can I transfer assets to my family to qualify for Medicaid?

While transferring assets can help meet Medicaid eligibility requirements, it must be done carefully to avoid penalties. Medicaid has a look-back period that scrutinizes asset transfers made within a certain time frame before applying for benefits. Our attorneys can help you navigate these rules and develop a strategy that complies with Medicaid regulations.

What happens if I apply for Medicaid without planning?

Applying for Medicaid without proper planning can result in denial of benefits or significant financial penalties. It can also lead to the unnecessary depletion of your assets. Working with an experienced Medicaid attorney ensures your application is accurate and that you take advantage of all available asset protection strategies.

Can I still qualify for Medicaid if I have substantial assets?

Yes, with proper planning, you can still qualify for Medicaid even if you have substantial assets. Our attorneys can help you restructure your assets to meet Medicaid eligibility requirements while preserving as much of your wealth as possible.

Reach Out To The Voeller Law Firm Today

If you need assistance with Medicaid planning or have questions about your eligibility, contact The Voeller Law Firm today – visit our website or call 210-985-2741. Our dedicated team is here to assist residents in San Antonio and surrounding Texas communities with their Medicaid and long-term care planning needs. Secure your future and ensure you receive the care you need by working with our experienced attorneys.